Mangudadatu pledges to pursue case vs Ampatuans

Photo by Carlos H. Conde / Twitter

MANILA — Despite the recent release of Sajid Islam Ampatuan, Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said he will not stop seeking justice for all the 58 victims of the so-called Maguindanao massacre.

“We will run after him in court,” Mangudadatu said in an interview for a radio station in Cotabato City.

Sajid, is the son of Andal Sr., and is one of the 197 persons charged in connection with the killing of 32 journalists and some of Mangudadatu’s kin and supporters.

Mangudadatu, however admitted that it might take a long and arduous journey to have the Ampatuans convicted as they still have a weak evidence that will support their claims.

He added that the witnesses, including Akmad Ampatuan, a close relative of Andal Sr. are still set to give their testimonies.

“Our witnesses against him have yet to testify. They are claiming that he has a big role in the massacre,” Mangudadatu said.

Despite the release of one of the alleged suspects in the killing, Mangudadatu remains hopeful that he will get the much needed justice several years after the tragedy.

“We still believed that our justice system is fair. The hold departure order is a proof,” Mangudadatu said.